Breaking Through: Akira’s First Studio Fashion Shoot
Model @akirawinn
What can I say—Akira is an incredible model, a talented creative, and an even better friend. We first connected through Freedom Rave Wear, a brand that had brought me on to photograph their standout festival fashion. Akira’s name came up constantly—praised for her stunning look, effortless presence, and the way she elevated every outfit she wore.
Eventually, I arranged a one-on-one shoot with her. This was Akira’s first time in a studio environment, which meant we had to move fast. I started her off with some simple shots to get comfortable, then gradually turned up the intensity. Studio photography can feel like a pressure cooker—limited time, outfit changes, and lighting adjustments. It’s a test of pace and composure.
But Akira? She handled it like a pro. I saw real potential in her, and I wanted to give her space to learn and grow—to make mistakes, feel the rush, and experience what a fast-paced studio shoot is really like. Her trust in me, along with her natural beauty and strong work ethic, made this shoot a huge success.
To make things even more exciting, Cici was also part of the session. I had just two hours to shoot both models and run through multiple outfit changes. It was a controlled creative chaos—but we pulled it off.
This shoot was more than just content creation—it was a learning experience, a leap forward, and a solid reminder of why I love doing this work.
Camera Setup
Body: Canon EOS R
Lens: Sigma 35mm f/1.4
Lighting: Adjustable dimmer light with umbrella modifier (no flash)
This particular shoot presented two core challenges: model direction and technical lighting control. It was my model’s first time in a professional studio, so pacing and clear communication were critical to building confidence and capturing fluid poses.
On the technical side, I was dealing with a neon-lit background—an element many photographers struggle to control. Neon lights can easily become overexposed, blowing out the color so the bulbs appear stark white and the ambient glow gets washed out.
To maintain the vibrancy, I started by tuning the neon lighting directly through the camera, dialing in settings to preserve color integrity. Once that was balanced, I introduced a key light—a white, dimmable LED paired with an umbrella to diffuse and soften the illumination. Flash was intentionally avoided, as it would have overwhelmed the background lighting and flattened the contrast.
Once the lighting was in sync, the shoot fell into rhythm. The setup allowed for creative flexibility while keeping the neon aesthetic clean and defined—exactly what I aimed for.